Infected PICC line?

[serendipity730]

Hi everyone! I am currently on IV's at home, and I have a PICC line. It's probably something like my 30th PICC. I was hospitalized orginally, because my FEV1 had plummeted 45 percentage points<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0"> I was also running high fevers at the time (of which they do not know the origin.) Anyway, last night, I had a fever of 101.7, and this morning, I had the chills (I felt like I was outside without a coat in the dead of winter.) I was wondering if this could be the result of an PICC infection, or if it is just a return of my original symptoms. My PICC looks fine otherwise. Well, ttfn! Mary (21 yr old w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

ive only had one picc line and it was for like 2 weeks time but the docs only started to get worryed about my pic when the site started turning a dark blue and slowly going up the vain. but i think that was more of a blockage of the vain. but i think you should call a nurse and ask her about it i think thye'd know best about it

 

[anonymous]

I agree to call your Dr or a home health service that maybe helped you get started w/ home IV's? I'm just guessing that if your PICC was infected, it would be hard, red at the site & maybe warm/hot to the touch, but then when you're running fevers, I'm sure every area is warm to the touch. If the line is burning when you administer the meds or it hurts up the vein, etc, then that could be a sign of complications w/ the PICC too.I'm wondering from what you've said if there is an underlying flu, maybe a bad infection or something that's causing the fevers.Let us know what you found out by calling your Dr if time allows.I hope you get better soon<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">